Under an executive order signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, school districts in Michigan had until April 28 to have remote learning plans up and running, but several districts were ahead of the game.
West Ottawa, Zeeland, Saugatuck and Hamilton school districts launched their remote learning plans on April 13.
West Ottawa is using Google Classroom to communicate with parents and is distributing Chromebooks to elementary students for learning, according to the Holland Sentinel. Buses will also be used to provide mobile hot spots for students without Internet access.
“We have 15 robust mobile hot spots that will be installed on buses, which we’ll strategically park in the district in higher-density neighborhoods that might have more students without access,” assistant superintendent Todd Tulgestke told the Holland Sentinel. “Those will be available Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.”
The Zeeland school district is mailing information to parents to inform them of the plan and how to access devices, Superintendent Cal DeKuiper told the Holland Sentinel. Internet access for students who don't have any at home will be available in the parking lots of school buildings, DeKuiper said.
“Our goal is, for folks who are struggling with connectivity, to give them a place to get temporarily connected,” he told the Holland Sentinel. “We’ll put a hot spot on the exterior of our buildings, and they can access the Internet in the parking lot.”
The Hamilton school district is using Google Classroom for daily lesson plans, according to the Holland Sentinel. The district asked families in need to request devices and hot spots for their children. The district will also making be hot spots available in the parking lots of school buildings.
The Saugatuck school district will be sending out learning material every Monday either virtually or by mail, for families with limited or no Internet access.
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